Barts Health adds HIV tests in critical care

This time last year, a six month pilot programme at the Royal London hospital came to an end. The pilot involved offering all patients in the adult critical care unit the opportunity to have their blood tested for HIV. Out of the 899 adults on the adult critical care unit, 465 (52%) agreed to the test and   three individuals were found to be HIV-positive. All three have now started treatment for the condition they previously did not know they had. The results showed a rate of HIV in patients on the unit at 6 per 1000 individuals, consistent with the local prevalence of HIV in Tower Hamlets at 6.25 per 1000, one of the highest in the country.

Now Barts Health doctors are testing more seriously ill patients for HIV in an effort to ensure early diagnosis and the prevention of the virus spreading. Dr Chloe Orkin (pictured), Consultant in HIV medicine, explained: “Having undiagnosed HIV is a threat to health, but on critical care the stakes are even higher. Patients on the intensive care unit are the sickest in the hospital and rapid diagnosis of relevant health problems is critical to their survival. “As people will already be having their blood tested on the adult critical care unit, it means just one more test that could help save their life and also prevent onward transmission to partners.

“There are many missed opportunities for HIV testing of patients, such as at GP appointments, and in hospital wards and clinics. When diagnosed early, HIV need not be the death sentence it once was.  There is much we can do to help people to live well and have a near-normal life expectancy.”